Although the Washington Wizards lost to the Detroit Pistons again tonight, most of the post-game media praised Link.
Compared to the previous two games, Link was clearly more composed tonight, taking over the game at critical moments, and his offensive efficiency was also stronger than Stackhouse's.
This loss was more due to the overall strength gap of the team.
The next game will be held the day after tomorrow, on March 8th, against the Dallas Mavericks, who are fourth in the Western Conference.
Before that, Link's training over the past few days once again yielded a rich harvest.
Shooting and Finishing Category:
[Three-Point Shot] Base attribute +2, increased to 87 (93); [Mid-range Shooting] Base attribute +1, increased to 93 (96); [Post Hook Shot] Base attribute +3, increased to 83 (83); [Driving Layup] Base attribute +2, increased to 95 (95)
The improvement in Three-Point Shot, for Link, seems difficult to truly showcase in a game, as opponents won't give him open shots. And the HC rules of this era greatly interfere with shooting. However, if he plays off-ball offense, Link can still get a few open looks. The increase in the Three-Point Shot base attribute greatly boosts open shot percentages.
A 95 Driving Layup will maintain a high finishing percentage as long as he's not at too much of a disadvantage in aerial contests.
Defense and Playmaking Category:
[Passing] Base attribute +2, increased to 92 (95); [Passing Vision] Base attribute +1, increased to 95 (97); [Steal] Base attribute +2, increased to 85 (87); [Block] Base attribute +3, increased to 73 (8); [Interior Defense] Base attribute +2, increased to 88 (92); [Offensive Rebound] Base attribute +1, increased to 70 (70)
The improvements in Passing and Passing Vision will enhance Link's ability to pass out of double teams, and also allow him to deliver the ball more accurately to his teammates.
Physical and Athletic Category:
[Speed] Base attribute +1, increased to 81 (81); [Explosive Acceleration] Base attribute +4, increased to 90 (90); [Explosiveness] Base attribute +2, increased to 82 (84).
An Explosive Acceleration of 9 base attributes will make Link's first step more threatening.
The increase in Explosiveness will also enhance Link's ability to create offensive space.
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The Washington Wizards visited the Dallas Mavericks.
Before the game, Link chatted a lot about daily life with Dirk, the Chasing Wind Youth.
"Dirk, come to our team next year. With the two of us together, the championship is a sure thing," Link said.
Dirk rolled his eyes and said, "Come on, your team has so many big men, there's no spot for me."
"Who says there isn't? Our team doesn't have a big man who can shoot Three-Point Shots," Link chuckled.
On the other hand, Mark Cuban came to watch the game, sitting next to the Mavericks' bench.
"Michael (Michael Finley), guard that kid for me. He absolutely cannot score more than 20 points tonight," Cuban gritted his teeth and instructed the players about to enter the game.
The Washington Wizards and Mavericks actually had no grievances.
But Cuban and Link had some personal grudges. Cuban's big talk at the beginning of the season led to him wearing a diaper on a show. Although Cuban later said he didn't care and even boasted about endorsing the diaper company...
He still held a grudge against Link in his heart...
20 points?
What?
Not letting Link score more than 20 points?
That's not an easy task!
Although Link is an NBA rookie this year, his average score is as high as 24.6 points, ranking in the top ten in the league.
"Alright, Mr. Mark, I'll do my best," Michael Finley nodded awkwardly.
No choice...
Who told Mark Cuban to be the team owner!
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Tonight, the Mavericks' starting lineup was Steve Nash, Michael Finley, Adrian Griffin, Dirk Nowitzki, and Raef LaFrentz.
It was naturally not Steve Nash who guarded Link, but the Mavericks' swingman, Michael Finley, who is 211cm tall and weighs 102kg. Michael Finley's defensive ability is considered above average among players at the same position.
He has strong explosiveness and excellent running ability, but his lateral footwork is average, and his defensive awareness is not particularly good.
The Wizards' starting lineup was the same as the previous game: Link, Richard Hamilton, Gerald Wallace, Christian Laettner, and Brendan Haywood.
Haywood won the jump ball, and after Link brought the ball past half-court, he performed a high pick-and-roll with Haywood, which is the Wizards' standard offensive opening. It was clear that the Mavericks' front office had done their homework before the game, as LaFrentz did not drop back to defend, but instead chose a hard hedge.
Just like Ben Wallace did in the previous game against the Detroit Pistons.
The hard hedge compressed Link's shooting space, making it impossible for him to shoot a Three-Point Shot.
The next moment.
"What?" Cuban was somewhat surprised that Link chose to drive hard.
In the previous game, facing Ben Wallace's hard hedge, Link also tried to drive hard, but the effect was poor.
Hmph...
Ben Wallace's Blocks are the league's best, and he also leads the DPOY rankings.
But LaFrentz, who is 211cm tall and weighs 109kg, averages 2.7 Blocks per game this season, second only to Ben Wallace, ranking second in the league.
You underestimate him too much!
However, Link lowered his center of gravity and drove in this time. Although LaFrentz's Blocking ability was strong and his help defense and sweeping awareness were excellent, his footwork couldn't keep up with Link. Additionally, his physical confrontation was not as good as Ben Wallace's.
Link, who had the ball in the restricted area, didn't rush for a layup. After all, the latter was an arm-span monster. Link suddenly braked and stopped, waited for the opponent to get close, then used his strength to confront. With the opponent unable to jump in time, he made a low-hand scoop shot.
After scoring, Link didn't forget to spread his hands towards Cuban on the Mavericks' bench, as if saying, "Buddy, I'm so sorry, blame my damn touch!"
When Link can create damage by driving after a pick-and-roll, the Washington Wizards' offense becomes incredibly fluid.
Haywood, the Biscuit King, returned to form.
Link drove after the pick-and-roll, and LaFrentz completely failed to keep up this time. Finley wanted to help with the recovery defense to force Link to slow down. Haywood quickly rolled down, and although he wasn't fast, the defensive attention was all on Link, and no one was guarding him.
With a "boom!", Haywood jumped low and completed a beautiful Alley-Oop Connection with Link.
28 to 24, the Washington Wizards lead by 4 points.
...
...
In the second quarter of the game, the Mavericks, whose defense was penetrated by the connection between Link and Haywood, adjusted their defensive strategy, letting Adrian Griffin guard Link.
Adrian Griffin is better at getting around screens than Michael Finley, but Link has too many offensive weapons.
Link, who gained initial Speed after the pick-and-roll, drove past Adrian Griffin towards the basket. LaFrentz wanted to help defend, but saw Haywood setting a screen for Richard Hamilton, distracting his defensive attention.
Link seized this opening, dribbled, turned around, and rose forcefully, scoring with a "swish!" on a fadeaway.